Visit the government help and support website for resources, e.g. videos and webinars, if your business has been affected by Coronavirus.
The government are hosting a helpful support identifier questionnaire webpage which allows you to see the support your business is eligible for by sector, location, size, etc. This includes more information on the CBILs and BBILs, along with additional time to pay taxes and job support programmes. See the government Business Support page here.
Furlough Scheme
Due to the second lockdown, the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme has been extended to the end of April 2021. This provides support to all businesses to help keep staff employed. Claims for furlough days in December 2020 must be made by 14 January 2021. Employees will receive 80% of their monthly salary, up to £2,500, with a requirement on the business to pay the NI and pension obligations. See full details here.
Grants
There are several types of grants administered by Merton Council for businesses affected by the National, Tier 2 and Tier 3 restrictions, based on the rateable value of a property. Details on grants for Tier 4 will be announced soon. Please read through the eligibility and applications carefully. An overview of grants can be found here.
National Restrictions Grants
From 5 January
Businesses in Retail, Hospitality and Leisure that have been required to close due to national restrictions may be eligible for a one-off grant of up to £9,000. More information can be found here. Application details will be announced on Merton Council’s website soon.
5 November – 2 December 2020
For businesses that were required to close or adapt due to the national lockdown restrictions between 5 November – 2 December 2020.
Merton Council has confirmed they will be honouring the full lockdown grant despite the required 28 days falling a day short.
- For properties with a rateable value of £15k or under, grants to be £1,334 per month, or £667 per two weeks;
- For properties with a rateable value of between £15k-£51k grants to be £2,000 per month, or £1,000 per two weeks;
- For properties with a rateable value of £51k or over grants to be £3,000 per month, or £1,500 per two weeks.
Check your eligibility and apply here.
Local Restrictions Support Grants
- Open Businesses – Application details and timeframes for grants available to businesses that remained open but severely impacted by Tier 2 restrictions (from 17 October – 4 November 2020 and 2-15 December 2020) and Tier 3 restrictions (16-19 December 2020) can be found here.
- Closed Businesses – Details for grants available to all businesses required to close since Tier 3 restrictions came into effect in Merton on 16 December 2020 can be found here.
Local Discretionary Grants (Additional Restriction Grants)
Will be assessed for businesses not covered by other grant schemes. The deadline to apply is 19 January. Apply here.
Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme
Employers may be eligible to reclaim employees’ coronavirus-related Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) due to coronavirus. Find out if you are eligible here.
Business Rates
The current Retail and Hospitality Business Rates Relief Scheme ends on 31 March 2021. Love Wimbledon BID is asking for this to be extended, particularly whilst there is a fundamental review of business rates underway, along with early notification of this to allow businesses to plan for this.
If you are not a retail, hospitality or leisure business and you are having trouble paying your rates, please get in touch with Merton Council on 020 8545 3919 or email at business.rates@merton.gov.uk.
Business Evictions Ban
The government has announced that business owners affected by the pandemic will be protected from eviction until the end of March 2021. This final extension will give landlords and tenants three months to come to an agreement on unpaid rent. In addition, the London Business Hub is offering a Property Advice Service and Masterclasses to help businesses understand and navigate rent negotiations. Read more here.
Local Business Support (advice, webinars and more)
- Peer to peer support group – free facilitated support
- Kickstart campaign – offering fully funded 6 month job opportunities to young people
- Reach Out and Connect – webinar support series for local businesses from Merton Chamber of Commerce. You can catch up on previous webinars here.
- Low cost compliance support – keep your first aid and fire warden training up to date online with a refresher course
- Merton Council Regulatory services support webinars
Further Information and Helpful Websites
